The N in NHL stands for National, not Nancy-boy. They check their opponent, not dance with him. These are warriors out on the ice, not weirriors.
Cole didn't so much as turn backwards as he did just pass him by while controlling the puck. I don't think Orpick was trying to really do anything dirty though. Erik was pretty low to the ice and I think it was just an unfortunate coincidence of events. It's pretty accepted practice to still finish checks gently even if they're from behind, and half the NHL, Erik included, makes that hit regularly (any time you're behind a guy it's more of a pinning or light shove than a real hit, of course, and players are respectful enough in 99 out of 100 cases about it, and technically yes, it's illegal). I was hoping to find something dirty to complain about but in this case, it was a fairly common hit, a lot of momentum, and a low to the ice player. The 5 minute and misconduct was the right call and if there wasn't an injury, noone would say a word about a suspension. Now that there is one, he may get a game or three and that'll be more than sufficient. I'll still want to see it a few more times though, but the ESPNNews highlights I just saw made it seem like that. I just moved two days ago and already I'm tired of being without a tivo. As far as the rest of the game and whether the previous calls turned it into a chippy shitfest, I don't know. They don't show Canes games here in Chicago.
They don't show Canes games here in Chicago. Ooooooo, Blackhawks territory. I'm sorry... These are warriors out on the ice, not weirriors. Yeah, I think we know that. We were just trying to discuss whether the hit was intentional or not. Finishing a hit and trying to hurt someone are two totally different things. Orpik's reputation (he made his reputation for himself as a bruiser at Boston College, as a ruthless, physical presence in the slot, corners and open ice) doesn't help his side of the story, though.
Didn't seem terribly dirty to me. Unfortunate yes, and a penalty for sure - but not something I'd call intentionally attempting to injure. It is too bad for Cole and the Canes, though - it's a huge hit for that team's Cup aspirations. He was easily their third or fourth best player.
This is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To put the Cane's loss into more perspective, his coach recently called him the league's best power forward. Before this weekend, I had the Canes, Sabres and Rangers as probable East champs. That list is now down to two.
This is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .
This is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I'm glad I'm not the first person to say it. Go Red Wings! 
To put the Cane's loss into more perspective, his coach recently called him the league's best power forward. No way. Do it for more than a year. And that term should be retired: "Power Forward" used to describe a Cam Neely type guy who scored points and hit guys silly (and got penalty minutes). So my vote right now would go to Ovechkin - but you don't think about him when you think about the term do you? Would you take Cole over Rick Nash? That guy's the best "Power Forward".
I did include that his coach said it. I don't agree with the assessment, and Cole's game doesn't scream power hockey, but he was having a career year. I think Cole's game is more well-rounded and his maturity level gives him 'intangibles' that Nash doesn't have yet, but Nash is raw talent that needs a season or two for him to become the game-changer he should be. Hopefully he'll be healthy so we can see what he can become. But I have to say I wasn't impressed with him in Turin, and watching the odd Blue Jacket game, he doesn't work hard enough without the puck for my liking. When everyone on the ice knows you want the puck so you can shoot, it makes it easier for defences.
oh, and Cole is hella fast as hell.
I think the rule changes helped him a lot, both because of the speed and because he has always been plenty physical in a non-obstruction way. Whereas a lot of guys lost their edge when they couldn't bump, clutch, and grab, he became a lot more noticeable because he just kept finishing his checks and throwing hard hits without regard for his body. I just remember a game in the opening week where he ended up getting hurt three times, just incidental stuff from playing so hard. This is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Classy.
Cole is a good player, and undoubtedly having a career year, but it seems to me like he's the new "totally overhyped guy that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon about to make it seem like they all knew it was going to happen." Good skater, good shot and Eric Staal is making him look great (I haven't seen a Canes replay/highlight/game since December that didn't feature Eric Staal with two or three opposing jerseys scurrying around him). Doesn't hurt that he's scored 8 game winners this year. That said - if you wanted to trade me Cole for Nash based on maturity, intangibles and this alledged more complete game - I'll do it every time. Nash is just better. Period. And yes I agree he didn't look great at the Olympics (but Cole didn't look any more awesome either). Nash is being totallly keyed on by the opposition with every move that Columbus has made completely backfiring on them this year - and like Cole, as a winger he needs a centre. He's not producing the good numbers like he did last time around - but he'll score 50 baring a series of injuries. He has hands, size and skill that compare better to a Thornton (with the emphasis on scoring) than to anything Cole has. But I'm not trying to bash Cole - who is a fantastic hocky player. He's just not close to being a NHL's best anything hockey player.
He's just not close to being a NHL's best anything hockey player. I don't even think he's the best forward named Eric on the Hurricanes...
This injury to Erik Cole will affect the team, but not as much as everybody thinks. If this was Brind'Amour, then I think they would be hurting in a very bad way. The captain is the heart 'n soul of this Hurricanes team and is the real reason for the success this year. Look for Andrew Ladd to step up his game and try to fill Cole's skates. It's also time for Doug Weight to find the team chemistry. This is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I'm glad I'm not the first person to say it. Go Red Wings! .
Weedy and grum, do you remember Cole having a hand in beating the Leafs in the playoffs in 02-03? I see where you are coming from, but I don't think he is totally over-hyped. I wouldn't trade Nash for him; no one would. But if I wanted to win in the post season this year, I'd rather have Cole than Nash. I posted the 'best power forward' commment because obviously his coach values his services.
This is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by sportgirl at 10:01 AM CST on March 6 Sportgirl with all 20 words you have posted (that includes a double post) you are yet to make any sense.
Weedy and grum, do you remember Cole having a hand in beating the Leafs in the playoffs in 02-03? Hell, I remember him scoring the prettiest hat trick I've seen in years against the Leafs THIS year. He's good. I'm not suggesting otherwise. I wouldn't trade Nash for him; no one would. But if I wanted to win in the post season this year, I'd rather have Cole than Nash. Just because I like beating this particular dead horse - I'd rather have Nash. For one thing, he doesn't have a busted vertebrae. For another - why wouldn't you take the better player? They're both scorers and Nash currently (this season) is scoring at a higher per game rate (51.5)than Cole (50) without a centre that could even sniff Staal's jockstrap. But your likely talking about these intangibles - and Cole has been there before, deep into the playoffs. And he played well. So I sorta see your point. I just don't think there are a lotta people that would make the same choice.
I'd probably take Nash too, in all honesty. I don't think anyone is arguing that Cole sucks though. And yeah, Staal is clearly the best on that team. He impressed me from his very first game. Hell, I remember him scoring the prettiest hat trick I've seen in years against the Leafs THIS year. If I'm not mistaken, he has had 3 hat tricks in his career (that I remember, at least), all against the Canadiens. He came into that Leafs series with a target on his back after dominating the Montreal series and Roberts and Tucker held him pointless, or close to it. That was one hell of a series.
They're both scorers and Nash currently (this season) is scoring at a higher per game rate (51.5)than Cole (50) without a centre that could even sniff Staal's jockstrap. Actually, you can't make kind of comparison with a team coached by Peter Laviolette. He doesn't have set lines. They are very fluid thing that changes from game to game, and even period to period.
without a centre that could even sniff Staal's jockstrap I'd wager Fedorov might have something to say about that. And what NoMich said. For one thing, he doesn't have a busted vertebrae....why wouldn't you take the better player? You've got me there. But I think Cole would've had more value this year because he is a better two-way player. I know I'm making a difficult case. But when have I been conventional? It was a great series.
I'd wager Fedorov might have something to say about that. Well, he better not. Fedorov has become a pretty brutal hockey player. Actually, he kinda blows now. Actually, you can't make kind of comparison with a team coached by Peter Laviolette. He doesn't have set lines. They are very fluid thing that changes from game to game, and even period to period. Yeah, OK - but he primarily plays with either Brind'amour or Staal. Both who are better than anything the Jackets have. See above, than add Manny Malholtra and Jan freaking Hrdina. Actually, one impressive thing about Cole is that he has scored almost all of his goals 5 on 5 or shorthanded - 27 of 30. That's gotta be the highest percentage in the league. Mucho props.
Orpick gets 3 game suspension. According to this, they say his intention wasn't to injure, but he bears some responsibility for trying to avoid the hit. Bernreuther, you hit this one right on the money.
